British Literature Mid-Term Review 2024

What is Middle English?

Middle English is the form of English spoken from 1100 to 1500, characterized by significant linguistic shifts.

What is Old English?

Old English is the earliest form of the English language, spoken from 410 to 1066, influenced by various invasions and migrations.

What were the Viking Invasions?

The Viking Invasions were raids and invasions by Scandinavian warriors, notably from Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland, starting with the raid of Lindisfarne in 793.

Who was King Arthur?

King Arthur was a legendary British leader often associated with knights and chivalry, believed to have been led by Ambrosius Aurelius.

Who was St. Augustine?

St. Augustine was a missionary sent by Pope Gregory to convert the Anglo-Saxons, arriving in England in 597.

What is Beowulf?

Beowulf is an epic poem representing the hero's journey, focusing on themes of loyalty, heroism, and pride.

What is hubris?

Hubris is excessive pride or self-confidence that leads to a character's downfall, prominently featured in Beowulf.

What does Anglo-Saxon refer to?

Anglo-Saxon refers to the period (410-1066) when the English language and culture were shaped by Germanic tribes, including the Angles and Saxons.

What is The Dream of the Rood?

The Dream of the Rood is an Old English poem depicting a vision of the cross, representing the intersection of Christian themes with Anglo-Saxon culture.

What are The Canterbury Tales?

The Canterbury Tales is a collection of stories written by Geoffrey Chaucer, framing tales told by various characters on a pilgrimage.

What is a Petrarchan Sonnet?

A Petrarchan Sonnet is a poetic form with 14 lines, divided into an octave (ABBAABBA) and a sestet (varied rhyme schemes), popularized in English by Sir Thomas Wyatt.

Who was Sir Thomas Wyatt?

Sir Thomas Wyatt was a 16th-century English poet noted for introducing the sonnet form and known for his political connections and romantic involvement with Anne Boleyn.

Who was John Skelton?

John Skelton was an English poet and tutor to Henry VIII, known for his satirical style and the irregular metre known as Skeltonics.

What was the War of the Roses?

The War of the Roses was a series of civil wars fought in England from 1455 to 1487, characterized by the struggle between the houses of Lancaster and York.

What is Iambic Pentameter?

Iambic Pentameter is a metrical line consisting of five feet, each with one unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable, commonly used in English poetry.

What is Mannerly Margery Milk and Ale?

Mannerly Margery Milk and Ale is a poem by John Skelton that satirizes the clergy and explores themes of power and female sexuality.

What is linguistic change?

Linguistic change is the evolution of language over time due to cultural, social, and historical influences.

What is chivalry?

Chivalry is the medieval knightly system involving moral, social, and religious codes of conduct; often associated with King Arthur.

What was the Christianization of England?

The Christianization of England is the process through which England was converted to Christianity, significantly influenced by missionaries like St. Augustine.

What is a heroic epic?

A heroic epic is a lengthy narrative poem detailing the exploits of heroic figures; exemplified by Beowulf.

What is an allegory?

An allegory is a narrative that conveys a deeper moral or spiritual meaning, often used in The Dream of the Rood.

What is a pilgrimage?

A pilgrimage is a journey to a sacred place undertaken as an act of religious devotion, central to The Canterbury Tales.

What is rhyme scheme?

A rhyme scheme is the pattern of rhymes at the end of each line of a poem; crucial in determining a sonnet's form.

What are Skeltonics?

Skeltonics are a poetic form characterized by its irregular meter and often humorous or satirical tone, popularized by John Skelton.

What is cadence?

Cadence refers to the rhythmic flow of a sequence of sounds or words, particularly important in poetry and affected by its meter.

What is courtly love?

Courtly love is a medieval European literary conception of love that emphasized nobility and chivalry.

What is Chaucer's characterization?

Chaucer uses a diverse array of characters in The Canterbury Tales to represent different social classes and perspectives of 14th-century England.

What is The Nun's Priest's Tale?

The Nun's Priest's Tale is one of the tales from The Canterbury Tales, known for its humorous take on a fable involving a cunning fox and a proud rooster.

What is satire in The Canterbury Tales?

The Canterbury Tales contains various satirical elements that critique societal norms, the Church, and human behavior.

What are feminine voices in The Canterbury Tales?

Feminine voices include several stories, such as those by the Wife of Bath, expressing women's perspectives and challenging traditional gender roles.

What is Skelton's use of satire?

John Skelton often used satire to comment on politics, religion, and societal issues, aiming to provoke thought and entertain.

What is The Tortoise and the Hare?

The Tortoise and the Hare is an allegorical story often attributed to Skelton, teaching lessons about pride and the consequences of underestimating opponents.

Who was Henry Howard?

Henry Howard was an English poet and nobleman, known for his role in developing the English sonnet, and the cousin of Sir Thomas Wyatt.

What was Howard's contribution to poetry?

Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, is credited with introducing the Shakespearean sonnet form, which includes three quatrains followed by a rhymed couplet.

What was Surrey's influence?

Surrey's innovative use of blank verse influenced later poets, including William Shakespeare.

What is the comparison of sonnet forms?

The Petrarchan sonnet has an octave and a sestet, while the Shakespearean sonnet comprises three quatrains and a final rhymed couplet.

What is courtly life?

Both Wyatt and Surrey were embedded in the courtly life of Tudor England, influencing their works with themes of love and political intrigue.

What is originality in poetry?

Wyatt and Surrey are recognized for their original contributions to English poetry, adapting Italian forms to English themes.

What is Sir Gawain and the Green Knight?

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a medieval romance epic poem that explores themes of chivalry, honor, and the nature of temptation.

Who is the Wife of Bath?

The Wife of Bath is a character in The Canterbury Tales known for her strong opinions on marriage and female autonomy.

What is The Wife's Lament?

The Wife's Lament is an Old English elegy expressing the sorrow of a woman separated from her lord.

What are Cuchulainn’s Boyhood Deeds?

Cuchulainn’s Boyhood Deeds detail the early feats and adventures of the heroic figure Cuchulainn, showcasing themes of bravery and destiny.

What is The Wanderer?

The Wanderer is an Old English poem that reflects on loss and the transience of life, featuring a solitary warrior seeking meaning.

What is The Seafarer?

The Seafarer is an Old English poem illustrating the experiences of a sailor reflecting on loneliness and life's harshness.

What is the chivalric code?

The chivalric code is the ethical system expected of knights, emphasizing values like bravery, honor, and respect for women.

What is feminist literary criticism?

Feminist literary criticism is a perspective applied to texts such as the Wife of Bath's Tale, analyzing women’s roles and agency.